A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hat Yai vs. Dewa Sanzan for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a cultural, lively, and festive city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums.

Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hat Yai. Although Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan are both popular with visitors, Hat Yai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hat Yai is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Dewa Sanzan is known for its hiking. Hat Yai is popular for its local markets, its traditional restaurants, and its colorful temples. It is also home to Wat Hat Yai Nai. Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Hat Yai different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Hat Yai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hat Yai. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

Dewa Sanzan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hat Yai is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Hat Yai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Hat Yai is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hat Yai. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Hat Yai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Hat Yai is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Hat Yai is well-known for its shopping. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Hat Yai is a decent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Hat Yai is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some play places for the kids and kid-friendly meals are available in many places. There are also some animal farms and parks near town where kids and adults can enjoy a natural setting.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Dewa Sanzan is a religious site with good options for couples. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for romance.

Dewa Sanzan is a good religious site for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Hat Yai is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Most people pass through the city on their way to other places, but if you chose to linger you'll enjoy amazing food and some interesting activities around town.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dewa Sanzan is a religious site with good options for backpackers. However, Hat Yai is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dewa Sanzan is a good religious site to visit for backpackers. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Hat Yai is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are hostels in the city, as well as cheap hotels, but the backpacker vibe isn't the same as what you get in other Thai cities. If you want more authenticity, then this is your place.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Hat Yai. The easiest and cheapest way to get around is by tuk tuk or motorbike taxi.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan both are decent when exploring on foot.

Hat Yai is generally not very walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not a very walkable city. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Hat Yai Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Hat Yai?

How long in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Hat Yai has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hat Yai than Dewa Sanzan. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hat Yai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Hat Yai than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hat Yai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than Hat Yai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dewa Sanzan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than Hat Yai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dewa Sanzan.

One day in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the festive city of Hat Yai. Most people visit for the food. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This religious site offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Hat Yai. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dewa Sanzan has to offer.

Five days in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

The colorful city of Hat Yai offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hat Yai. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Dewa Sanzan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan than you might in Hat Yai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hat Yai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hat Yai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hat Yai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months.

In July, Hat Yai is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 29°C (83°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Hat Yai. In the summer, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hat Yai and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hat Yai year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails.

Hat Yai is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hat Yai averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Hat Yai gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hat Yai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hat Yai usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, May to December is the rainy season in Hat Yai.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hat Yai as well as Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. In the winter, Hat Yai is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hat Yai in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about -1°C (30°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hat Yai this time of the year. In the winter, Hat Yai often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hat Yai usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to April in Hat Yai is the dry season.

Should I visit Hat Yai or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hat Yai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hat Yai throughout the year.

In April, Hat Yai is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Hat Yai average around 30°C (85°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hat Yai. Hat Yai usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Hat Yai gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hat Yai usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hat Yai gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hat Yai is January to April. The rainy season in Hat Yai is May to December.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Hat Yai